A good place to start

If you've already explored my site, you would have seen a quote on my homepage from Jason Collins that reads "Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start." Jason Collins was one of the first openly gay professional athletes and played in the NBA.

This quote resonates with me and helps me throughout my day to day life even if I may not always realize it. I grew up in a tiny rural community in northwestern Pennsylvania. In 2016 the census for my community showed that the population was 98.9% white. I grew up in what I considered a bubble, separate from the majority of the world. I went to a public school and wasn't really educated on the struggles minorities have had to face in our country since it was formed. When I came to college, not only was I exposed to a new demographic of people, but I was also exposed to more information and better resources. I was able to learn more about people from different walks of life with experiences. It not only humbled me but helped me shift my world perspective. If we can face the unknown with openness and an inquisitive mind we will be able to more accurately understand situations and create more a more empathetic perspective.